ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.MethodSixty outpatients with perimenopausal insomnia were randomized into a thread-embedding group and an acupuncture group, 30 in each group. The thread-embedding group was intervened by acupoint thread-embedding by selecting Xinshu (BL15), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), once a week, successive 3 sessions as a treatment course; the acupuncture group was intervened by regular acupuncture by selecting the same acupoints following the same treatment course, 3sessions a week. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was adopted for evaluation, and a 30-d follow-up was conducted for observing the efficacy.ResultThere was no significant difference in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). After intervention, the PSQI scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). In the follow-up, the PSQI global score, sleep quality, sleeping pills, and daytime function scores in the thread-embedding group were significantly differentfrom that in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). ConclusionThread-embedding can produce a more significant efficacy than using acupuncture in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.

Objective To investigate the damages on pancreas after different fractionated irradiation in rats.Methods Eighy healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with 20 rats in each group as conventional fractionated irradiation group with 2 Gy per fraction to a dose of 12 Gy,hypofractionated radiation group with one fraction of 12 Gy,middle-dose fractionated radiation group with 6 Gy per fraction to a dose of 12 Gy in the interval of 4 days and control group without radiation.Changes in weight,fasting blood glucose and amylase were measured and morphological changes were observed in different periods.Results In the experimental groups,the reduction was observed in fasting glucose at 4 d,reached a minimum of (3.1 ±0.1 ) mmol/L,(LSD-t =20.06 -28.74,P ＜0.001 ) and the increase of amylase was found after 4th and 7th day,reached a maximum of (84.5 ±6.4) U/L(Dunnett's-t=23.10 -46.10,P ＜ 0.001 ),both more obvious in hypofractionated radiation group than those of conventional fractionated radiation group and middle-dose fractionated radiation group ( LSD-t =8.72-9.71,Dunnett's-t =7.11,P ＜ 0.05 ),however the levels in conventional fractionated radiation group was nearly to middle-dose fractionated radiation group (P ＞ 0.05 ) and became normal at 14 d.Under light microscope,the necrosis of acinarcells was observed in hypofractionated radiation group at 4th d,interstitial fibrogenesis were found at 14 d,the fibrogenesis were found in pancreatic island at 21 d,and the hyperplasia of acinarcells was observed at 42 d.The same changes were found in conventional fractionated radiation group and middle-dose fractionated radiation group,which were gently and lately than those of hypofractionated radiation group.Conclusions Radiation injury is not more serious after middle-dose fractionated radiotherapy than that after conventional fractionated irradiation,when the proper fractional dose and intervals are chosen.

Objective To observe the changes of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in spinal tissues of rats with acute spinal cord injury after electroacupuncture (EA) treatment, and its association with inflammatory reaction and apoptosis after spinal cord injury. Methods The spinal cord injury of all the rats was induced by a 10 g × 2.5 cm impact with the reformative Allen equipment. The IL-1β and caspase-3 in spinal nerves of rats were detected with immunohistochemistry, while the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in spinal tissues with the Colourimetry, neuron apoptosis with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuredine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results At the end of EA therapy, the expression of IL-1β and caspase-3, the level of MDA, and the number of TUNEL positive cells in EA group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the activity of SOD was obviously higher (P<0.01). Conclusion The EA therapy can decrease the expression of IL-1β and caspase-3 in rats of acute spinal cord injury, and alleviate the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

In this study, the effect of hespridin, a natural flavonoid, on renal function and morphology in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats was evaluated. The result was compared with that of aminoguanidine which can inhibit the formation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and can decreased diabetic complications in experimental diabetes. The results showed that excretion of urinary protein, and the content of AGEs and LPO decreased, while the mesangial expansion and basement membrane thickening were retarded in diabetic rats treated with hespridin. These indicate that hespridin plays the same protective role as aminoguanidine in inhibiting formation of AGEs, thus preventing the development of nephropathy in STZ induced diabetic rats.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) on chronic spinal cord injury.MethodsAn animal model of moderate chronic progressive compression on spinal cord was made. Then the animals were decompressed and treated with EA. The combined behavioral scores (CBS) were tested, and the expressions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB on the section of the rat's spinal cord were examined with immunohistochemical method.Results90 days after injury, the CBS of EA group was significantly better than that of decompression group ( P<0.05) and the number of positive ChAT cells in ventral horn of spinal cord in EA group was more than that in decompression group (P<0.05). The expressions of BDNF and TrkB enhanced after injury were recovered in the EA group.ConclusionThe electro-acupuncture may be effect on chronic spinal cord injury in rats by influencing the expressions of BDNF and its receptor, and improvs the expression and activity of ChAT.

Objective: To observe curative effect of thoracic sympathetic block on patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) complicated cardiac chamber enlargement and heart failure (HF). Methods: A total of 76 DM patients with cardiac chamber enlargement and HF were randomly divided into routine treatment group (n=36) and epidural nerve block group (nerve block group, n=40, received thoracic epidural nerve block based on routine treatment), and four weeks were a course of treatment. Changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDd), left atrial diameter (LAD), levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were observed in two groups. Results: There were no significant difference in all indexes between two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, total effective rate of cardiac function improvement in nerve block group was significantly higher than that of routine treatment group (95% vs. 66.7%, P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, there were significant decrease in LVEDd [(71.63±9.26)mm vs. (65.4±8.12)mm] and LAD[(45.62±7.10)mm vs. (37.14 ±6.28)mm] (P<0.05 both), significant increase in LVEF [(31.3±11.46)% vs. (42.12± 10.42) % , P< 0.01], and significant decrease in levels of TNF-α [(73.55±16.36)ng/L vs. (28.35±10.08) ng/L], IL-6 [(17.62±5.47) ng/L vs. (7.88±2.29) ng/L], BNP[(13.49±2.94) ng/L vs. (6.28±2.28) ng/L] and HbA1c [(7.9±2.6) % vs. (6.8±1.9) %] in nerve block group after treatment, P<0.05 or <0.001; and levels of LVEF, TNF-α, IL-6 and BNP in nerve block group after treatment were significantly improved than those of routine treatment group, P<0.05 or <0.01. Conclusion: Thoracic sympathetic block can significantly decrease levels of neuroendocrine and inflammatory factors, improve cardiac function, and elevate quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus complicated heart failure.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation treated by Halo-vest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation.Methods From January 2009 to December 2012,26 cases of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation underwent Halovest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation.There were 18 males and 8 females,aged 19-64 years (mean,42.1 years).Injury resulted from traffic crashes in 11 cases,high falls in 9,and hit by heavy objects in 6.Segment of injury was C5/6in 10 cases,C6/7in 9,C3/4in 4,and C4/5in 3.Prior to anterior decompression/internal fixation and fusion,the Halo-vest external fixation was performed.Neurological performance was evaluated after operation.Results All the patients were followed up for 24-36 months (mean,27.4 months).According to the X-ray films and CT scan at the final follow-up,the alignment of the cervical spine was maintained and the implanted bone was completely fused without internal fixation breaking or loosening.Preoperative neurological status according to the Frankel grading was grade A in 6 cases,grade B in 8,grade C in 7,and grade E in 2.After operation,there were 5 cases in grade A,3 in grade B,4 in grade C,5 in grade D,and 9 in grade E.All together,6 cases presented two-grade improvement in neurological status,13 one-grade improvement,and 5 no changes (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Halo-vest reduction combined with anterior decompression and internal fixation is safe and effective in treatment of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation.

BACKGROUND:There is controversial in choosing the treatment method for the treatment of traumatic subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation and spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effect of implant internal fixation and Halo-vest external fixation on the stability after treatment of subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation.
METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 17 patients with subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation in the Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical Col ege between January 2009 to December 2011, including 13 male patients and 4 female patients, the age was ranged from 21-65 years, average 41.6 years. There were six cases of high fal ing injury, three cases of crush injury and eight cases of traffic accident injury. The hospitalization time after injury was 2 hours to 5 days, average 2.5 days. Al the patients received Halo-vest external fixation under local anesthesia, then distraction gradual y, and received anterior decompression graft and titanium screw fixation under reduction. The treatment effect was evaluated
through Frankel classification and imaging examination.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the patients were fol owed-up for 12-24 months, average 15.4 months. Normal anteraposterior X-ray film showed fracture reduction, the cervical vertebra restored to the normal
sequence and physiological curvature;CT showed graft fusion without internal fixation fracture and loosing;
according to Frankel classification, marked effect (decreased for 2 grade) in five cases, effective (decreased for 1
grade) in 10 cases, and ineffective in two cases. Implant internal fixation combined with Halo-vest external fixation is safe and reliable in the instability fixation of subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation, and can better restore the spinal sagittal alignment.

Objective To develop and validate an anatomic detailed finite element model of the lower cervical spine. Methods The finite element model of C4-C5-C6 was constructed using lower cervical spine (C4-C5-C6) CT images of a young healthy man. This model was validated against the standard deviation corridors of experimental data for normal, nondegenerated cervical spines tested in flexion and extension,right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation under physiological loading. Percent of load range deviation was introduced to measure the deviation of the model from the standard deviation corridors of experimental data. Results and Conclusion A finite element model of young normal lower cervical spine has been developed and validated. The average percentage of load range was within 90% of standard deviation corridor.

ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic mechanisms of electro-acupuncture on chronic spinal cord injury in rats.MethodsA model of chronic spinal cord injury was made. After 60 days, the pressure installs were removed, and the animals were treated with electro-acupuncture. A quantitive analysis was carried out using Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB scale). The expression of Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its receptor TrkC were observed through immunohistochemistrical method and western blotting.ResultsAfter spinal cord injury, enhanced NT-3 and TrkC immunoreactivities were evident in neurons and glial cells. Furthermore, they were diminished in the electro-acupuncture group. Meanwhile, both evoked potentials and BBB scales were improved after EA treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of electro-acupuncture may promote behavioral function recovery of experimental animals, and NT-3 and TrkC may take part in the recovery.